The Telegraph discloses the fulsome praise, advice and match commentary Alex
Salmond has given to Scotland's football and rugby team managers.

The Telegraph can disclose that the First Minister writes regularly to the national teams’ managers lavishing praise on them and occasionally providing a commentary on their performances and forthcoming fixturesPhoto: GETTY IMAGES

It is enough to leave Scotland’s long-suffering football and rugby fans scratching their heads wondering if Alex Salmond has been watching the same teams.

The Telegraph can disclose that the First Minister writes regularly to the national teams’ managers lavishing praise on them and occasionally providing a commentary on their performances and forthcoming fixtures.

Even the much-maligned Craig Levein did not escape his charm offensive, with Mr Salmond lauding in detail the “exceptional team passing and movement” in the build-up to a goal scored against Northern Ireland.

However, the First Minister’s shower of accolades did not always have the desired effect, such as a motivational message ahead of a football match against the Czech Republic to qualify for Euro 2012.

This saw Scotland lose 1-0 against a mediocre Czech team after Mr Levein adopted an ultra-defensive 4-6-0 formation with no strikers. The supine nature of the defeat prompted a vitriolic backlash from fans and the press.

This newspaper used the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) Act to obtain Mr Salmond’s correspondence with Scotland’s recent national football and rugby team managers.

The Scottish Government initially failed to release the letters but eventually agreed after being contacted by the information commissioner, who is charged with ensuring public bodies comply with the FOI legislation.

In August 2009 Mr Salmond wrote to George Burley, Mr Levein’s predecessor as national football team manager, just before a crucial World Cup qualifying match against Norway.

Mr Salmond, a Hearts fan, wrote: “I am confident the team can secure a win which would take Scotland a step closer to the play-offs for the 2010 World Cup.”

However, Scotland was thrashed 4-0 in Oslo two days later and they ended up missing out again on the tournament. Mr Burley was sacked as manager in November that year after winning only three out of his 14 games in charge.

Mr Salmond wrote to Mr Levein in March 2010 offering his “warmest congratulations” at winning his first game in charge, a 1-0 victory in a friendly against the Czech Republic.

“It was tremendous to see the spirits of the players and spectators lifted as Scotland fended off the Czech Republic team and the confidence of the team clearly grew as the game developed,” the First Minister wrote.

“I am sure you and the team are delighted with the result and I hope it spurs you on as you prepare to meet the Czech Republic again in October for the Euro 2012 qualifiers.”

The latter was the match when Mr Levein’s reign started to unravel after he fielded the infamous formation without a striker.

But Mr Salmond lauded him again in February 2011 following a 3-0 victory over Northern Ireland in a friendly tournament.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the whole team performance but I have to highlight the third goal from Kris Commons, which is one of the finest I have seen from a player in a Scotland jersey, which involved exceptional team passing and movement,” the First Minister wrote.

He said the performance had “set the benchmark” for the team’s next matches but Scotland failed to qualify for European Championships and Mr Levein was sacked in November 2012.

Mr Salmond then wrote to his successor, Gordon Strachan, in January 2013 congratulating him on his appointment as manager and lavishing fulsome praise on his record as player and manager.

The First Minister offered similarly flowery compliments to the new head coaches of the rugby team – Andy Robinson in June 2009, Scott Johnson in December 2012 and Vern Cotter in June 2013 – with his letters detailing their previous careers in the game.

If anything, Mr Salmond’s commentaries on the rugby team’s performances were more detailed. In 2012 he infamously compared a BBC official to a Nazi bureaucrat for refusing to allow him on television to comment on a Calcutta Cup game between England and Scotland.

In a letter to Mr Robinson dated June 2012, he delivered his analysis of a “fabulous win” against Australia at Murrayfield. “The terrible conditions were no doubt familiar to a squad brought up playing through many Scottish winters but it was nonetheless a performance of extraordinary grit and determination,” he said.

“I was hugely impressed by the manner in which great skill was combined with resolute defending.”

He said the squad had “great promise and I am sure this win will inspire them to greater heights.” However, Mr Robinson resigned in November that year following a series of disappointing results.

Mr Salmond also wrote to Kelly Brown, the team’s captain, following a 34-10 victory over Italy in last year’s Six Nations. He said: “It was absolutely fantastic to see the backs cutting loose and scoring in front of a home crowd.”

But, advising the players about their next match, he warned: “The Irish will be formidable opponents and, although they will be missing some of their first choice players, they will undoubtedly provide a stern test.”